Need Advice on Current Builds

[bryant1108]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP

Budget: Under $2,000 after shipping and before MIR.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Surfing the internet, some light programs such as photoshopping and video editing (hobbies), watching movies (planning to add blu-ray eventually)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Mouse and Keyboard

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, and can drive to a Microcenter

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: Yes. Would like to get it close to 4.0.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes, I want to add another card soon, preferably without changing any others parts.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 or 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I already made two builds, and would appreciate if any of you would do something different, or tell me which one you would prefer and for what reason. Also keep in mind I want both builds to be able to be crossfired/sli without adding new parts, just a new card. I would also really like to keep the HAF X and the ASUS VW266H, but I can be talked out of them.

The builds are identical except the power supply and GPU.

CPU: $200 i7-930
Case: $200 HAF X
HDD: $69.99 Spinpoint F3 1TB
Monitor: $279.99 ASUS VW266H
GPU: $389.99 Asus 5870
PSU: $169.99 Corsair HX 850W Modular
CD Drive: $24.99 Sony Optiarc 24x
Mobo: $269.99 EVGA X58 FTW3
OS: $99.99 Windows 7 64 bit

After MIRs and shipping it comes to about $1,870.

However, instead of the 5870 and Corsair PSU, and this GTX 480 + PSU combo http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.413516 the price is $1,845 after shipping and MIR.

So, assuming these are both solid builds, and you guys don't see anything wrong with them, which one should I buy? Or might you guys have a different build in mind alltogether.

P.S. Anyone have recommendations for a HSF under $50?

 

[bryant1108]

Silly me, I forgot RAM. $180 Gskill Pi 6gb 1600 Cas 7 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335&cm_re=g_skill_pi_1600_6gb-_-20-231-335-_-Product. Prices are still the same as above, just forgot to post the RAM in build when looking at Newegg shopping cart.

 

[gkay09]

^ You have got a very good build there IMO...

Some suggestions...As you want something different, why not try out this case ?
SILVERSTONE Fortress Series FT02B-W + SILVERSTONE ST85F-P 850W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.421054

The HAF X on the outside is very similar to the HAF 932...But on the features, very good though...

And stick with the HD 5870...

As for the RAM, other very good options...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145286
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211462
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231254
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145320

As for the HSF, how about the Scythe Mugen 2? Can accomodate 4 fans for extreme setup....
But just a heads up...the cooler is huge and might be blocked by the VRM heatsink though...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142

Check out these mobos...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130289
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128422

 

[bryant1108]

Thank you gkay! Any reason you pick the 5870 over the GTX 480? I understood it was the better card, and with new drivers coming out it should only get better. I like that case, but I'm going to keep the HAF X so I can try and fit that monster HSF in it.

Also, I'm not very tech savvy, I just configured these builds by looking at some others on Tom's. I'm pretty new to computers, and this will be my first build. Whats more important in RAM? The CAS latency or speed? Also, why those two mobos over http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188065 ?

 

[gkay09]

^ Well the GTX 480's performance increase over the HD 5870, doesnt warrant the power consumption and the heat that it produces...That is the main reason why I would stick with HD 5870...
But I doubt heat would be an issue with that case that you have selected though...
As for power consumption, it depends on you how you look at it...
So going with either is fine if you are OK with those 2 factors...

As for the mobo, the only reason is that you would have issues with the large CPU coolers and the VRM heatsinks on the mobo...Check the pics of that mobo...
Apart from this, there aren't any issues with that mobo...

As for the RAM, latency or speed depends...If you want higher overclocks, then speed, but if you will be overclocking only to moderate levels say 3.6-3.8GHz, then latency over speed...As with a 1600MHz RAM, you can easily overclock the CPU to those levels and tighter the timings the better...

 

[bryant1108]

Ok thanks!

Build so far is

CPU: $200 i7-930 (from microcenter)

Case: $200 HAF X

HDD: $69.99 Spinpoint F3 1TB

Monitor: $279.99 ASUS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236047

GPU:

PSU: $175 corsair HX modular 1000w http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007

CD Drive: $24.99 Sony Optiarc 24x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030

Mobo: $300 MIS Big Bang http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130289

RAM: $175 gskill Pi series http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335

HSF: $35 Scythe Mugen 2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142

OS: $99.99 Windows 7 64 bit


A little over budget but not so bad

Anyone else want to put in their opinion? Would appreciate it. I'm still on the fence about which graphic card. I'm worried about the heat and power of Nvidias new cards, but also they seem to be better than Radeons, and a generation ahead with directx11. Their drivers make it seem like they'll only keep getting better with than the radeon 58xx series. I'll probally go with a GTX 470 or 480 however. I'll decide when I order.